loud on ethical living

Cruelty-free Summer Essentials ft. Pacifica and Tropic Skin Care

July 28, 2016

Foundation and heat rarely mix: this is something I’m sure many of us have learned the hard way, myself included. Even if I’m lucky enough to have the company of my foundation all day, it’s far from a pleasant experience – it goes all melty and gross and just generally looks like a mess. Ultimately, applying foundation when it’s very hot doesn’t appeal to me much at all, so I tend to either go without a base or use something lighter instead.

After seeing it crop up here and there on YouTube, I ordered the Pacifica Ultra CC Cream with SPF 17 in the colour “medium.” My only other product from Pacifica is my roll-on perfume which I love, so I was excited to try something from their makeup range. The Ultra CC Cream is described as moisture rich and claims to illuminate and perfect skin with specially adapted colour correcting minerals. Being Pacifica, it is of course 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and is also free from petroleum, parabens or phthalates. Yay!

I was initially très disappointed with this CC cream. It looked way too dark for my complexion, and didn’t seem like it would provide much – if any – coverage. However, after giving it a chance I realised that the shade was actually perfect for my skin tone (CC creams tend to look a bit darker swatched anyway) and worked well on its own or as a base for foundation. It doesn’t quite provide my desired level of coverage, so I normally apply Illamasqua’s Skin Base concealer to my under eye and “problem” areas first.

Back in May, Tropic Skin Care were kind enough to send me a party bag as part of their birthday celebrations. One of the products included in the party bag was their Sculpting Palette in “Coral Blush”* which comprises of bronzer, blusher and highlighter powders. The bronzer is matte (which I adore, can’t be doing with shimmer bronzers) and the blush has a slight shimmer to it which is not overbearing.

I am not exaggerating when I say this is one my favourite palettes ever. The shades are so pigmented and easy to apply for a naturally radiant look. I have been using it daily as part of my makeup routine to add a defined glow to my skin after applying the CC cream. My trusty Nanshy brushes do a great job of getting the product to sit where I’d like it to, and I set everything using the e.l.f. High Definition translucent powder afterwards.

Like I said, it’s not always appealing to apply makeup during the warmer months, but using lightweight products can make it feel a lot nicer on the skin.

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What are your favourite cruelty-free makeup bits for summer? Have you tried any of the products I’ve mentioned?

*I was sent this product to review, and have given nothing but my honest opinion!

4 comments

I’ve been learning the hard way about the perils of applying foundation in the heat this summer too! Like seriously I need to stop wiping my face when i get sweaty at work – SO. MANY. STREAKS. This CC cream sounds fab though. I hadn’t even considered wearing a CC cream as a lighter alternative, but you’ve totally got me tempted now!

Hello and welcome to not so QUIET grrl, a blog dedicated to vegan and cruelty-free beauty and lifestyle. Whether you're after makeup and skincare recommendations or an insider's scope on the ups and downs of plant based living, you'll be sure to find it here. Come in, have a look around, and feel free to get in touch! Nadia xox